Pristipomoides macrophthalmus
A western Atlantic snapper with large eyes and a poorly known biology.
The cardinal snapper, also called the bigeye snapper, is a ray-finned fish in the family Lutjanidae. It lives in the western Atlantic Ocean. Its most obvious feature is its large eyes, which are bigger than the space between them. The body is moderately deep and oblong, typically more than a third of its standard length, and shaped like a torpedo. The mouth is large with a slightly protruding upper jaw, the snout is short and blunt, and the area between the eyes is flat. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 11 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays; the last soft ray on each of these fins extends into a short filament. The long pectoral fins reach the anus and have 15 or 16 rays, and the tail fin is forked. The back and upper sides are pink with a silvery sheen, fading to silver on the lower sides and belly. The fins range from see-through to pink. This species can reach a total length of 50 cm (20 in), though 30 cm (12 in) is more common.
The species was first formally described in 1848 as *Centropristis macrophthalmus* by German zoologists Johannes Peter Müller and Franz Herman Troschel, based on a specimen from Barbados. The name *macrophthalmus* means "large eyed." In 1862, Theodore N. Gill used *Mesoprion vorax* (a junior synonym) as the type species for the genus *Platyinius*, which is now considered a subgenus of *Pristipomoides*.
This snapper is found from Bermuda, southeastern Florida, and Louisiana south through the Gulf of Mexico to Campeche and Cuba. In the Caribbean, it ranges from Cuba to St. Lucia and along the Central and South American coast from Nicaragua to La Guajira, Colombia. It lives near the bottom at depths between 110 and 550 m (360 to 1,800 ft), over soft or semi-hard seafloors.
Little is known about its biology. Like other snappers, it is a predator that eats smaller fish and large zooplankton. Off Puerto Rico, it breeds year-round, with peaks in March and December. Off Florida, it reaches sexual maturity at a fork length of 18 cm (7.1 in).
This species is not a primary target for fisheries. It is usually caught as bycatch, or targeted only when stocks of other snappers are low. In Puerto Rico, it became a target after the population of *Lutjanus vivanus* dropped sharply. It is caught with handlines and bottom trawls, and the catch is typically sold fresh.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Pristipomoides macrophthalmus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Pristipomoides macrophthalmus was first formally described in 1848 as Centropristis macrophthalmus by German zoologists Johannes Peter Müller and Franz Herman Troschel, with the type locality given as Barbados. The specific name macrophthalmus means 'large eyed' and refers to the eyes being larger than the intraorbital area. In 1862 Theodore N. Gill used Poey's Mesoprion vorax, a junior synonym of C. macrophthalmus, as the type species of the genus Platyinius, which is now regarded as a subgenus of Pristipomoides.
The species has a moderately deep oblong body, with a depth typically over a third of its standard length, which is fusiform. It has a large mouth with a slightly protruding upper jaw, large eyes, a flattened space between the eyes, and a short blunt snout. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 11 soft rays, the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays, and the last soft ray of each of these fins is extended into a short filament. The pectoral fins are long, extending to the anus, with 15 or 16 rays, and the caudal fin is forked. The back and upper flanks are pink with a silvery hue, shading to silvery on the lower flanks and abdomen; the fins vary from translucent to pink.
It occurs in the western Atlantic from Bermuda and southeastern Florida and Louisiana south through the Gulf of Mexico to Campeche and Cuba, and in the Caribbean Sea from Cuba to St Lucia and along the coast of Central and South America from Nicaragua to La Guajira, Colombia. It is benthopelagic over soft and semi-hard substrates at depths from 110 to 550 m.
Reader's Guide
Pristipomoides macrophthalmus is not regarded as a primary target species within its range; it is caught as bycatch or is targeted when the stocks of other snappers are depleted. In Puerto Rico it became a target species when stocks of Lutjanus vivanus underwent a significant decrease. It is caught using handlines and bottom trawls, and the catch is normally sold fresh. The species has a poorly known biology. Like other snappers it is a predatory species that feeds on smaller fishes and larger zooplankton. Off Puerto Rico it breeds throughout the year, peaking in March and December. Sexual maturity is attained off Florida at a fork length of 18 cm. The species attains a maximum total length of 50 cm, though 30 cm is more typical. Its significance lies in its role as a secondary or opportunistic target in fisheries, particularly when more desirable snapper species become scarce, highlighting its importance as a substitute resource in certain regions.
Did You Know?
- It was first described in 1848 as Centropristis macrophthalmus by Johannes Peter Müller and Franz Herman Troschel.
- It is caught as bycatch or targeted when stocks of other snappers, such as Lutjanus vivanus, are depleted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pristipomoides macrophthalmus?
Pristipomoides macrophthalmus is a ray-finned fish in the snapper family Lutjanidae, commonly called the cardinal snapper or bigeye snapper. It was first described in 1848 under the original name Centropristis macrophthalmus, based on a specimen collected off Barbados.
What does Pristipomoides macrophthalmus look like?
This snapper has a torpedo-shaped, moderately deep body with a short blunt snout and a large mouth whose upper jaw protrudes slightly. Its most striking feature is a pair of oversized eyes that are wider than the gap separating them, set above a flat interorbital region. The dorsal fin carries ten spines and eleven soft rays, while the anal fin has three spines and eight soft rays.
Where does Pristipomoides macrophthalmus live?
The cardinal snapper inhabits the western Atlantic Ocean, occupying a depth range of roughly 110 to 550 meters (about 360 to 1,800 feet). This places it well below most recreational angling depths and into the upper mesopelagic zone.
How big does Pristipomoides macrophthalmus get?
Adults typically measure around 30 centimeters (12 inches) in total length, though the species can reach a maximum of 50 centimeters (20 inches). This makes it a mid-sized member of the snapper family.
Why is Pristipomoides macrophthalmus so poorly known?
Because it lives at depths between 110 and 550 meters, researchers have very limited opportunities to observe it in its natural environment. As a result, details of its feeding behavior, reproductive cycle, and daily activity patterns remain largely undocumented compared to shallower-water snappers.
More in Snappers and Grunts, Part 2 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced